Doc Duo in Oscar-Qualifying Run

Last fall Enzian was thrilled to present two excellent documentary features, Ronit Avni and Julia Bacha's ENCOUNTER POINT and The Sibs' FREEDOM'S FURY, as part of their requirement for Academy Award eligibility. I'm excited to say that on Saturday, July 21 and Sunday, July 22, Enzian will once again be lending a hand, this time as one of four limited theatrical engagements prior to September 4 that A.M.P.A.S. requires for all documentary shorts that wish to qualify for the 2008 Academy Awards. And what's even better (besides presenting two extraordinary docs back-to-back) is being able to help out two old friends of Enzian and two Florida Film Festival veterans, Alice Elliott (THE COLLECTOR OF BEDFORD STREET) and Cynthia Wade (SHELTER DOGS).

Cynthia's new film, FREEHELD, focuses on the plight of Lt. Laurel Hester, a decorated New Jersey police officer who is dying of cancer but fights to leave her pension to her domestic partner. The film won a Special Jury Prize at Sundance (the only doc short to do so) and the Audience Award for Best Short Film at the Independent Film Festival of Boston. Alice's film (which was just finished), BODY & SOUL: DIANE & KATHY, will be having its World Premiere Theatrical Engagement. It tells the intimate story of a remarkable decades-long friendship beween two women who have overcome their physical disabilities (Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy) to become activists and make a difference in the world.

Both of these films pack an emotional wallop and are most deserving of not only the Academy's attention, but the film-loving community as well. The 80-minute double feature will begin at 12:30 PM on Saturday and Sunday, and Alice Elliott will be in attendance for Q&A. This is a program you do not want to miss.